I ordered "Friends: The Complete Series" (the one in the red box) off eBay. As always, when ordering DVDs on eBay I was concerned about bootlegs or imports. I e-mailed the seller in advance (who had 1000+ feedback, 100% positive) and he said it was a US release.

However, "good" bootlegs are usually designed to closely resemble official releases, but close inspection will reveal differences.

I noticed that the pictures of the set that you'll find at Amazon, Deep Discount, etc., show Rachel in the first picture from the left in the film strip of pictures on the outside of the red box. Also, the little "dots" in between each letter in the word "F-R-I-E-N-D-S" is in color.

On the box set that I received, Monica is in the first picture from the left, and the little dots in between each letter are white, just like the letters.

I'm not sure if this fact is indicative of a bootleg, or a simple redesign of the box. Also, the image shown at CircuitCity.com matches mine (with Monica in the first picture on the left). So, I'm inclined to believe that this is not a bootleg.

However, for peace of mind, I'm hoping somebody here can confirm this for me. Does anybody own the "Friends: The Complete Series" official US version, and have Monica in the first picture on the left and have white dots in between each letter?

Thanks in advance.

I want to get back to the seller ASAP if this is a bootleg.

Don't stress out. The set was printed with more than one cover because of the egos involved.

Well, the "egos involved" are certainly huge, but egos doesn't explain the slight difference in the coloring of the "F-R-I-E-N-D-S" logo on the front.

While we're not talking about an enormous amount of money here, it was expensive enough that I want to ensure that what I bought was legit.

Do you own the set? If so, who is in the first picture on the left on your set?

I'd don't own the set, but I used to work for Warner.

I couldn't tell you if the coloring of the logo was a sign of a bootleg. My assumption is that it got messged up during the printing of the alternative cover art.

If you want to be totally anal about it, you should be asking people to run their discs through a disc analyzer program and comparing the results.

I don't want to be "totally anal" about it ... I want to be just anal enough to ensure I didn't spend good money on a bootleg.

From what you're saying, I think it's probably safe to assume that this one is legit.

From what I've seen online, one "tell tale" sign of a bootleg for this set is that it will not contain the 60-page booklet. My set has the booklet.

Thanks for the input.

I don't mean to be a pest, I just really want to make sure I didn't get ripped off here.

I don't blame you after spending that kind of cash.

I found this on a site called tvshowsondvd.com:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/reviews/...te-Series/6084

The reviewer has two photos: a promotional photo, and a photo of the set on her shelf. The photo of the set on her shelf has the photo of Monica on the far left, which differs from all the promotional photos, but matches my set. I think I can put my fears to rest, and safely conclude this is a legit set.

I don't think Gord Lacey is a woman.

My set indeed has Monica on the left side and the dots in white. I forget where I purchased it... I think from Amazon.

Oh no! Amazon.HongKong!!!!

Maybe it's really Lacey Gord?

Thanks!

I have another question, but this one isn't related to the legitimacy of my set. I figured I'd just put it in the same thread, though.

I can't seem to find the bloopers special called "The Stuff You've Never Seen" hosted by Conan O'Brian. There are some bloopers on disc 40, included a short clip with Conan, but that's not what I'm talking about. It was a full episode where Conan was sitting in the coffee shop and they all sat around introducing various bloopers. It was hysterical. I would imagine it would have to be in the "complete" set, but I can't find it.

Anybody know if it's in here somewhere?